The Real Giro 2026 Afternoon

[Falcor CC]

Way too early favourite check (will be updated before Friday):

Maglia Rosa
***** Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
**** Xavi Roriguez (Confidential Era), Erki Liiv (NoMoreLulz)
*** Tilen Trkman (L RSV), Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey)
** Iwan Bondarew (SouthWest Packers), Arjen Burger (CreditPommes), Uros Urbanek (L RSV), Azimbek Iskanderov (Big Donkey), Michael Redrocks (Falcor)
* Magnus Jensen (Falcor), Luca Parri (Falcor), Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev), Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Maglia Ciclamino
*** Artem Palmarchuk (Tukhtahuaev),
** Avinash Rajbanshi (Jokers) Zhansultan Domagambetov (Tukhtahuaev), Nikita Viitanen (NoMoreLulz)
* Vincent Verwimp (Team FL), Magnus Jensen (Falcor), Robi Saarma (NoMoreLulz), Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV), Arcadio Bongiorno (Big Donkey)

Maglia Azzurra
*** The one who wants it
** Another rider
* A surprise rider

Maglia Bianca
*** Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
** Finn Bennett (Confidential Era),
* Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)

Team classement
*** Confidential Era
** SouthWest Packers
* L RSV

Very nice, and mostly agree! Some small things I noticed:
-Alborghetti getting underrated here! Will always finish ahead of Parri-Jensen, unless they pull of a move somehow. Would also give him the edge over Bennett for white, assuming Confi has Rodriguez as super leader. Also, Tuk is his manager!
-Love the Jensen shout for Ciclamino, but on the other hand dissapointed that we don't make it on the tc shortlist with a 85-81-78MO trio and a 74MO as backup .
-All these names spelled wrongly! Team LF really needs to do better there.

From trustable sources I have heard:
-NML still uncertain to ride at all
-Cruz has shown interest to go for La Maglia Azzurra

Looking forward to a pre race check on Friday!

[Jokers]

Not sure to ride at 14h yet, might go at 22h (depending on how may will be charged at work)
And not sure about the lineup too, might not bring McNulty as he got no reg/DH

[C.Pommes]

Ok 14 it is

1. Arjen Burger

2. Oskar Stoel

3.Matthijs Maris

4.Sem Hutterd

5.Destin Meeuwisse

6.David Boksem

7.Gust Boschhuis

8.Bartje Tieslink

9.Jaap Wils

So only old Guys going für the Maglia Bianca and a bit of Sprint Money With Boschhuis.

As Always 1400 a bit to early but still the best time, so lets have some fun

[Romoc Riders]

Team Romoc Riders has finally established the roster for Giro.
Unfortunately we expect limited time here, but the board is excited for another Giro presence.
The team comes with a sprint leader and a GC leader followed by support in both fields.

#1 Thijs Toornstra - team leader
Despite his age, Toornstra feels very motivated for this Giro. He comes with lots of experience at his 2nd Giro participation
#2 Carlo Chambaere - free role
Very versatile as he can be a reliable helper both on hilly and flat roads, while also going for his chances in some stages
#3 Quentin DeQuerch - support role
Young rider with good overall stats that can be an escape candidate
#4 Luuk Leezer - sprint train
Leadout role in sprint for Toornstra
#5 Tygo Mathijsen - youngest rider
Good regen and high motivation can lead to earning some experience on the italian roads
#6 Moreno Ottema - support role
Main helper on the hilly roads with a good chance for top 10 in TT stage.
#7 Rohan Rooney - flat captain
Keeping the team tradition of having a big flat rider and a road captain
#8 Shai Shaquille - support role
Versatile helper with a bit of hilly roads skills
#9 Junior 'Juninho' Joma - GC role
Hidden GC contender for a top 10 finish. The bar is set high as Juninho Joma is looking for opportunities to mess up the GC rankings.

Honorable mentions:
Pedro Pepe (2nd big flat rider), Bawuah VanDeBouw (hilly sprinter), Moi Montoro (sprint train launcher), Robin DeRuijter (support role) and Timo Timber (young sprinter) have all been left out because of the team tactics and time availability for this tour.

[team fl]

I thought that Bawuah VanDeBouw is a given looking at this year's stage profiles... But maybe Toornstra has told him about your team tactics and decided otherwise himself .

[Romoc Riders]

I thought that Bawuah VanDeBouw is a given looking at this year's stage profiles... But maybe Toornstra has told him about your team tactics and decided otherwise himself .

At the preliminary selection done last month Toornstra was not an even an option and the focus could have been on Bawuah and giving him a train too. Things changed tho and we will probably go for him in LeTour after all.

[Romoc Riders]

I thought that Bawuah VanDeBouw is a given looking at this year's stage profiles... But maybe Toornstra has told him about your team tactics and decided otherwise himself .

You want Bawuah tho?

[team fl]

I thought that Bawuah VanDeBouw is a given looking at this year's stage profiles... But maybe Toornstra has told him about your team tactics and decided otherwise himself .

You want Bawuah tho?

I am totally indifferent about that. Doesn't matter who I win against

[Romoc Riders]

I thought that Bawuah VanDeBouw is a given looking at this year's stage profiles... But maybe Toornstra has told him about your team tactics and decided otherwise himself .

You want Bawuah tho?

I am totally indifferent about that. Doesn't matter who I win against

I thought the FL community fans want him

[team fl]

I thought that Bawuah VanDeBouw is a given looking at this year's stage profiles... But maybe Toornstra has told him about your team tactics and decided otherwise himself .

You want Bawuah tho?

I am totally indifferent about that. Doesn't matter who I win against

I thought the FL community fans want him

Well, it has a practical implication actually. I have to rewrite my post for Friday

[Flandrien]

Ciao a tutti, va tutto bene?

Flandrien Pro Cycling has secured a wildcard for what will be the team’s first ever grand tour. Despite the team’s short history, we have already achieved quite some impressive victories and top finishes. Who took the cycling world by storm in no time. The Flandriens are determined to make their mark on the Giro with their aggressive racing style to put the team on the cycling map.

These following riders will proudly take their places at the start of La Corsa Rosa:

#1 Salvatore Meeus - GC Leader
Salva has been given the role of GC leader. As half-Italian, he is determined to finish as high as possible in his second home country.

#2 Gaetan Bollen - MO Helper
Gaetan has the difficult task of supporting his team leader in the mountain stages. In the final week, he’ll also be allowed to ride for his own.

#3 Robin Jonckheere - Free role
After finishing fourth in Liège, he has shown that he can handle tough stages well. He’s set to make his mark on the hilly stages.

#4 Kenneth Verbeke - Free role/Helper
Flanders’ speeding demon. Can either go for a breakaway or support the team leader on the flat stages.

#5 Justin Engel - Free role/Helper
One of the two new additions to the team. With his experience, the German will take on the same role as Verbeke.

#6 Zane Claessen - Helper
Like Verbeke, Zane is also a fast rider. He has been tasked with supporting Salva on the flat stages and closing gaps.

#7 Antoine Masson - Helper
Toine. The road captain will ensure the race runs smoothly for the team and will lend a hand where necessary.

#8 Arthur De Clerck - Helper
The water carrier on duty will take on the important task of ensuring that the whole team has everything they need.

#9 Magnus Fjellvik - Helper/Talent
Last but not least, Magnus. He’s a newcomer, just like Engel, and what a one. The talented Norwegian, as the youngest member of the team, will be able to gain experience on Italian roads. He is here primarily to learn from his teammates so that he can play a key role within the team in the future.

Ambition of the Flandriens:
The team will be aiming for a top-10 GC finish with Salva in this tough field and will be competing in every stage to achieve a good result. But above all, it’s about enjoying the experience together with teammates and other teams.

[Flandrien]

The Flandriens will be wearing a newly designed kit from the Giro onwards, courtesy of designer Dreizehn.

[Obk]

Ciao a tutti, va tutto bene?

Flandrien Pro Cycling has secured a wildcard for what will be the team’s first ever grand tour. Despite the team’s short history, we have already achieved quite some impressive victories and top finishes. Who took the cycling world by storm in no time. The Flandriens are determined to make their mark on the Giro with their aggressive racing style to put the team on the cycling map.

These following riders will proudly take their places at the start of La Corsa Rosa:

#1 Salvatore Meeus - GC Leader
Salva has been given the role of GC leader. As half-Italian, he is determined to finish as high as possible in his second home country.

#2 Gaetan Bollen - MO Helper
Gaetan has the difficult task of supporting his team leader in the mountain stages. In the final week, he’ll also be allowed to ride for his own.

#3 Robin Jonckheere - Free role
After finishing fourth in Liège, he has shown that he can handle tough stages well. He’s set to make his mark on the hilly stages.

#4 Kenneth Verbeke - Free role/Helper
Flanders’ speeding demon. Can either go for a breakaway or support the team leader on the flat stages.

#5 Justin Engel - Free role/Helper
One of the two new additions to the team. With his experience, the German will take on the same role as Verbeke.

#6 Zane Claessen - Helper
Like Verbeke, Zane is also a fast rider. He has been tasked with supporting Salva on the flat stages and closing gaps.

#7 Antoine Masson - Helper
Toine. The road captain will ensure the race runs smoothly for the team and will lend a hand where necessary.

#8 Arthur De Clerck - Helper
The water carrier on duty will take on the important task of ensuring that the whole team has everything they need.

#9 Magnus Fjellvik - Helper/Talent
Last but not least, Magnus. He’s a newcomer, just like Engel, and what a one. The talented Norwegian, as the youngest member of the team, will be able to gain experience on Italian roads. He is here primarily to learn from his teammates so that he can play a key role within the team in the future.

Ambition of the Flandriens:
The team will be aiming for a top-10 GC finish with Salva in this tough field and will be competing in every stage to achieve a good result. But above all, it’s about enjoying the experience together with teammates and other teams.

Love rookies like you are! Best of luck for the giro, i hope for least one stage win, fingers crossed!

[drei.zehn]

The Flandriens will be wearing a newly designed kit from the Giro onwards, courtesy of designer Dreizehn.

Finally someone giving credits where they belong xD

[Robyklebt]

Just don't forget the alphabet, as some seem to have done lately. It's easy, Abdq--ah, no... wait... abcf, that's it! Don't forget!

[Falcor CC]

Ciao a tutti, va tutto bene?

Flandrien Pro Cycling has secured a wildcard for what will be the team’s first ever grand tour. Despite the team’s short history, we have already achieved quite some impressive victories and top finishes. Who took the cycling world by storm in no time. The Flandriens are determined to make their mark on the Giro with their aggressive racing style to put the team on the cycling map.

These following riders will proudly take their places at the start of La Corsa Rosa:

#1 Salvatore Meeus - GC Leader
Salva has been given the role of GC leader. As half-Italian, he is determined to finish as high as possible in his second home country.

#2 Gaetan Bollen - MO Helper
Gaetan has the difficult task of supporting his team leader in the mountain stages. In the final week, he’ll also be allowed to ride for his own.

#3 Robin Jonckheere - Free role
After finishing fourth in Liège, he has shown that he can handle tough stages well. He’s set to make his mark on the hilly stages.

#4 Kenneth Verbeke - Free role/Helper
Flanders’ speeding demon. Can either go for a breakaway or support the team leader on the flat stages.

#5 Justin Engel - Free role/Helper
One of the two new additions to the team. With his experience, the German will take on the same role as Verbeke.

#6 Zane Claessen - Helper
Like Verbeke, Zane is also a fast rider. He has been tasked with supporting Salva on the flat stages and closing gaps.

#7 Antoine Masson - Helper
Toine. The road captain will ensure the race runs smoothly for the team and will lend a hand where necessary.

#8 Arthur De Clerck - Helper
The water carrier on duty will take on the important task of ensuring that the whole team has everything they need.

#9 Magnus Fjellvik - Helper/Talent
Last but not least, Magnus. He’s a newcomer, just like Engel, and what a one. The talented Norwegian, as the youngest member of the team, will be able to gain experience on Italian roads. He is here primarily to learn from his teammates so that he can play a key role within the team in the future.

Ambition of the Flandriens:
The team will be aiming for a top-10 GC finish with Salva in this tough field and will be competing in every stage to achieve a good result. But above all, it’s about enjoying the experience together with teammates and other teams.

Let's gooo, welcome to the best field in rsf rook!

Donkey is right, follow my lead and give the proper numbers to your riders

[L RSV]

I will start here. Not much to win, solid but expensive second row team.

1 - Tilen Trkman
- Uphill

2 - Fabiano Frizzante
- Sprinting fast, but very unmotivated uphill

3 - Dacian Liberiu
- Domestique

4 - Miikka Muurinen
- Solid Classic

5 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen
- Helping, Escaping, TT

6 - Tapio Tamikkonen
- Classic with Reg

7 - Uros Urbánek
- Mountains

8 - Vilppu Vikkolainen
- Old Classic

9 - Khánh Võ
- flat Reggie

[Tukhtahuaev]

A slight change to the preliminary lineup. Final lineup will be this:

1. Graziano Alborghetti
2. Shohrat Dawamat
3. Zhansultan Dosmagambetov
4. Deimantas Girdvainis
5. Shokhzhakhon Mamatkhodzhaev
6. Artem Palamarchuk
7. Oleksandr Piskun
8. Kensi Taiwia
9. Terentiy Tikhomirov

[team fl]

As usual, the Afternoon Giro is the peak of GT riding in C4F. Also this year. Nothing will be handed out easily, you have to fight for everything, esp. for good music during the stages. But something is free in the afternoon: lots of entertainment. And Gruppetto work that is Giro worthy. Maybe the lineup order too… And these are the worthy teams to enjoy all of this in the races, while you will be able to watch them with joy. But now, the favourie check:

Afternoon Giro Favourite Check

Maglia Rosa
***** Jamshid Abdurashitov (SouthWest Packers)
**** Xavi Rordiguez (Confidential Era), Tilen Trkmann (L RSV), Talvi Kairi (VC Team Multi)
*** Gabriel Lafuente (Big Donkey), Arjen Burger (CreditPommes), Uros Urbanek (L RSV)
** Iwan Bondarew (SouthWest Packers), Azimbek Iskanderov (Big Donkey), Michael Redrocks (Falcor), Salvatore Meeus (Flandrien Pro Cycling), Ricardo Carapan (Tecno Vigo), Tristan Rasmussen (Veline)
* Magnus Jensen (Falcor), Luca Parri (Falcor), Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev), Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Abdurashitov with the skills and the team to win this year's Afternoon Giro. With Rodriguez, Trkmann and Kairi being pretty strong in the mountains incl. support, it might get tricky though. And there are some dark horses as well, not with much chances, but who knows what happens.

Maglia Ciclamino
*** Artem Palamarchuk (Tukhtahuaev)
** Zhansultan Domagambetov (Tukhtahuaev), Thijs Toornstra (Romoc Riders), Sigurdur Vidir (VC Team Multi)
* Magnus Jensen (Falcor), Vincent Verwimp (Team FL), Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)

With have an MSR winner in the peloton, so he's favourite for the Maglia Ciclamino, obviously. Due to the unpredictable flat stages (other than the clear flat stages), this is not easy to predict. Maybe even a climber may have chances?

Maglia Azzurra
*** The one who wants it
** Another rider
* A surprise rider

The only one stating he's going for it (maybe) has been Falcor so far. Chances are it will be a climber or a regular escapee.

Maglia Bianca
*** Arjen Burger (CreditPommes)
** Graziano Alborghetti (Tukhtahuaev)
* Finn Bennett (Confidential Era)

Burger with the best skills to win it, but Alborghetti in an experienced team, while Bennett might only be helper. Reg might help Alborghetti too. But it's among these three.

Team classement
*** SouthWest Packers
** Confidential Era
* Falcor

Here you are, Falcor, one star for you :*

[team fl]

Stage one is over. We have our first winner, the first rider in the Maglia Rosa. And his name is: Vincent Verwimp . But first things first: The stage started with an early escape by five rider, but only one puller. From the get go it was clear, that the stage favourites L RSV, Team FL and Tukhtuhaev are willing to work for a bunch sprint. So even before the first intermediate, the early group was already caught, followed by new attacks from km 58 from Falcor and Flandrien Pro Cycling. While out of this group, Mick Rory (Falcor) managed to wear the first Maglia Bianca, Antoine Masson (Flandrien Pro Cycling) will wear the Maglia Azzurra tomorrow. In the end, these riders where caught 2 km before the finish line, where Vincent Verwimp (Team FL) profitted from his teams sprint train and a good nose to follow Thjis Toornstra during the sprint. In the end, he crossed the finish line slightly in front of Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev). Hilly Stage 2 will mix things up quite a bit, but for now, Team FL celebrates its stage win and the Maglia Rosa for Vincent Verwimp.

Statistics after stage 1:

General classement:
01. 00:00:00 Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
02. 00:00:04 Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahaev)
03. 00:00:04 Mick Rory (Falcor
04. 00:00:06 Fabiano Frizzante (L RSV)
05. 00:00:06 Antoine Masson (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
06. 00:00:08 Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
...
124 riders 10 seconds behind Verwimp.

Points classement:
01. 050 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)
02. 035 - Artem Palamarchuck (Tukhtahuaev)
03. 025 - Fabio Frizzante (L RSV)

Mountain classement:
01. 006 - Antoine Masson (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
02. 004 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
03. 001 - Mick Rory (Falcor)

Youth classement:
01. 00:00:04 Mick Rory (Falcor)
02. 00:00:06 Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)
03. 00:00:10 Sigurdur Vidir (VC Team Multi)

Team classement:
00:00:00 All teams still in the same time

Stage wins by riders:
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Stage wins by teams:
1 - Team FL

Days in Rosa:
1 - Vincent Verwimp (Team FL)

Most combative rider:
1 - Magnus Fjellvik (Flandrien Pro Cycling)

Days with the Red Lantern:
1 - Pyry Pitkäaikainen (L RSV)

[Robyklebt]

For me it's Abdurashitov, without anything getting tricky. Both he and Bondarew are quite young and could also train further. Many classics, not sure what for, just makes the team expensive, 2 les and it's still all under control.
Challengers? Nobody. Confidentials team is even weirder than SWPs. 3 climbers. top classic. Excellent for great attacks from far? No, first there's really only 3 stages where that looks likely, promising. 14+19+20. No reg for these 3 classics, so 19 is basically out. And with Bondarew at 86... only Rodriguez is stronger, don't see how that could work. Yes, Rodriguez will win time on every mountain stage, but little, Bondarew can just carry up Abdurashitov the final climbs gain a few seconds, not more. Trkman and Urbanek look better actually, 84-86, have reg. but still... doesn't look to be enough to actually make it close. Kairi, looks strong individually, has to rely 100% on L and Confidential. But does that make sense for L? Less TT, less sprint...

So predict a boring GC fight. The other podium places might be more open, Lafuente in there too, if he's being carried up by SWP, if others prefer trying for stage instead of GC that won't work anyway. We'd like t be on the podium for the money, but otherwise would much prefer a stage, so we won't really fight too much for a podium spot.

[Falcor CC]

Mick Rory (Falcor) managed to wear the first Maglia Bianca

What a rider!

[team fl]

Mick Rory (Falcor) managed to wear the first Maglia Bianca

What a rider!

https://youtu.be/CevxZvSJLk8?si=Dje2CDxXqIcvubx0

[L RSV]

Not sure what role Team L RSV can play here. On every stage some kind of chances to win, but never really the biggest Favo.
Do I need to hunt KOMs again?
Or just try everyday to get at laest at the podiums? not really the goal a team should have, starting too expensive
Or get a win from an escape? Or the mix of everything?

[drei.zehn]

Do I need to hunt KOMs again?

no